Bombardier Inc. has signed a framework agreement with a Chinese civil aircraft firm to look at potential collaborations that could help both companies increase their market share.

Simon Roberts, Bombardier's vice-president, speaks to the Economic Club of Canada at the Sutton Place hotel on Thursday. (March 24, 2011)

By:Vanessa LuBusiness Reporter, Published on Thu Mar 24 2011

With emerging economies expected to play a growing role in demand for commercial aircraft, Bombardier Inc. on Thursday announced a new framework agreement with a Chinese civil aircraft firm.

The deal between Bombardier and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd. (COMAC) will look at a possible long-term strategic co-operation, especially on Bombardier’s CSeries planes and COMAC’s C919 model.

The agreement was touted by Simon Roberts, vice-president and general manager of Bombardier Aerospace’s Toronto operations, during a luncheon speech to the Economic Club of Canada.

“There is no doubt that China is becoming a major aerospace leader and that there are opportunities to grasp, both in terms of growth and in terms of potential collaborations,” Roberts said, noting China is expected to build almost 100 new airports by 2020.

Bombardier estimates that China will order 2,260 aircraft in the 20- to 149-seat market in the next 20 years.

Roberts also pointed to Russia and India as growing aerospace manufacturing countries.

Roberts’ speech was part of nationwide tour by the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada to raise awareness of the industry’s importance. In Ontario, the industry employs more than 23,000 people in 200 firms and is estimated to account for $3.8 billion of GDP in 2009.

He emphasized that Canada is well positioned as many international commercial fleets are aging and in need of replacement, with 100- to 200-seat aircraft highly sought.

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